Want to know my Mom’s secret? Out of all of the fancy desserts out there, her absolute favorite is boxed brownies. They are very high on my list also, but I do not think I could choose just one favorite dessert. It would be impossible to choose! But something very scary happened. Mom looked at the ingredient list, again. This is starting to be a problem. I tried to read it with her and could not even pronounce half the things listed. I was starting to get pretty nervous about losing our brownies so I started my research on how to make homemade brownies without a store-bought mix.
It turns out there are a ton of recipes out there to choose from, and I tried a lot of them! I was looking for that chewy inside with the harder crust that makes brownies so delicious. When I found this recipe, I gasped at how much chocolate was in it!
But Box Mixes are so Easy
If I were going to be honest, I would admit that these take more time than throwing a box mix together. But after perfecting my methods by making them so often, they are pretty easy
I feel very professional when I measure out ingredients.
Then I melt the butter with the chocolate by microwaving them together for 30 seconds at a time until I can mix them smoothly together.
Making Homemade Brownies Can Be Messy
For some reason, the hardest part of this recipe is measuring out the cocoa powder. Whenever I try to scoop it out it just flies through the air and lands everywhere! But this adds one more layer of richness to the brownies so it is worth it.
After mixing in the sugar, I then beat the eggs separately and add them to the mix. Then, add the small amount of flour and get your workout mixing it in.
And then guess what you do? Add MORE chocolate!
Mistakes in Making Homemade Brownies
I will admit that I have made some silly mistakes with this brownie recipe. The batter looks just about perfect after adding the eggs and once I forgot to add the flour! I cooked them for about two hours because they were just not coming together!
I also made the mistake once of overcooking them because my fork kept coming up all gooey when I checked the middle. It turns out I was just hitting the melted chocolate chips over and over again. They still tasted pretty good, but were a bit dry.
No More Box Mix:
There are so many reasons to make these brownies instead of using a box mix. First, they do not have all kinds of odd ingredients. But more importantly, they are so much richer! I feel like I could eat a whole pan of boxed brownies and not be satisfied. But with this recipe, one piece has so much chocolate in it that you won’t even ask for seconds. That never happens with dessert!
You can also add all sorts of toppings, such as homemade whipped cream or even roasted marshmallows!
How to Make Homemade Brownies: No More Box Mix
Homemade Brownies do not have any weird ingredients and they are so much richer. You won't even ask for more dessert.
Ingredients
- 4 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate, Chopped or Use Chips
- 3/4 Cup Salted butter, Cut Into Cubes
- 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 3 Large Eggs, Room Temperature
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 3/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Cup Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a square 9×9" baking with spray.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the bittersweet chocolate and butter. Microwave on high in 20-30 second bursts, stirring well between until melted and smooth. Whisk in cocoa powder.
- Add granulated sugar and brown sugar, whisking well to combine. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well with a whisk.
- Sprinkle the flour and salt over the brownie batter and gently stir it in with a wooden spoon or spatula. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Spread the thick brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and spread into the corners.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out mostly clean with only a few crumbs attached. Be sure not to overbake by confusing the chocolate chips for dough.
- Try to let them cool completely before cutting (though we never make it).
Notes
Adapted from House of Nash Eats
Sister Val
Tuesday 27th of August 2024
I love my bday brownies, I think they are this GREAT recipe!